Take a Break: Examining College Students’ Media Multitasking Activities and Motivations During Study- or Work-Related Tasks

A survey ( N = 524) examined how frequently college students engage in multitasking with social media, texting/instant messaging (IM), and music while studying/working and what motivates them to multitask with each medium. Four out of five participants multitasked with Facebook and texting/IM, and two out of three multitasked with music. Habit was the strongest motivation for multitasking that positively predicted multitasking frequency. Overall, multitasking with Facebook, texting/IM, and music differed by motivations. Multitasking with music was associated with entertainment and efficiency needs, while multitasking with Facebook/texting/IM was related to satisfying socialization, passing time, and escaping needs.